The prolonged standoff between the Kerala government and the Centre over Samagra Shiksha scheme funds has put the future of nearly 400 tribal students in jeopardy. Six residential hostels for Scheduled Tribe (ST) boys and one for ST girls, run under Samagra Shiksha-Kerala (SSK), are now struggling to survive due to a severe financial crunch.

These hostels, situated in remote and forested regions, offer both education and boarding facilities. While boys’ hostels were started in 2018-19 with a combined capacity of 300 students, the girls’ hostel—opened in 2022—caters to 80 students and is the only one operating in a government-owned building. The others run from rented premises.

Since the second half of 2023-24, central funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme have been irregular, forcing SSK to rely on local body contributions. But with no funding since the start of the 2024-25 fiscal, SSK officials are left scrambling to maintain operations. The total annual expense is estimated at ₹2.14 crore, mostly spent on food, rent, and staff salaries.

In Idukki’s Marayoor, a building owner has demanded pending rent with a 10% hike, escalating the crisis. Traders and landlords have so far allowed services on credit, but the patience is wearing thin.

The Centre-State tussle, reportedly triggered by Kerala’s refusal to sign the PM SHRI MoU, has left arrears of ₹794 crore in Samagra funds for the past two years. The state is now considering legal action to retrieve the dues.